Soccer Shorts: Ramsgate needs to be aiming for promotion, says latest signing Liam Friend

Here are tonight's Soccer Shorts articles.

CHATHAM TOWN manager James Collins has unveiled the signing of former Gillingham centre-half George Sheminant and former Lordswood right-back Joe Kane.

Collins has retained the services of winger Jon Pilbeam but James Fray has left the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club.

DOVER ATHLETIC manager Andy Hessenthaler has signed versatile defender Paul Rooney, 22, on a two-year contract after spending last season with League Two side Colchester United.

Rooney spent loan spells with Bromley (National League) and Billericay Town (National League South) last season.

Midfielders Kurtis Cumberbatch, 23, and Oscar Gobern, 28, have both signed two-year contracts, having signed from Farnborough and Eastleigh respectively.

DULWICH HAMLET manager Gavin Rose has agreed a new three-year deal to stay at Champion Hill.

The Vanarama National League South side have unveiled the signings of midfielders Christian Smith and Jeffrey Monakana from their league rivals Wealdstone and another midfielder, Kieran Monlouis from Hemel Hempstead Town.

The club have also announced the capture of former Folkestone Invicta striker Ade Yusuff and defender Ryan Case from Oxford City.

But centre-half Michael Chambers has decided to leave Dulwich Hamlet and issued a statement on his Twitter account.

“I started my footballing journey at Dulwich at 16 and returned at 21.  After three seasons and a promotion later, it’s time for me to move onto another chapter,” said the 24-year-old.

“I firstly want to thank the management team, Gavin Rose, Junior Kadi, Kevin James and Junior James for giving me a platform to grow, not just as a footballer but as a person.

“Secondly, I want to thank the fans for their unconditional support, not just on the pitch but also off it.  The support in helping the club return home to Champion Hill was incredible.

“Lastly, everyone behind the scenes whose roles often go unnoticed. I wish the club all the success in the future.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED manager Garry Hill has unveiled the signing of former Sutton United left-back Aswad Thomas, 29. 

The Fleet have lost the services of 27-year-old midfielder Jack Payne, who has returned to their Vanarama National League rivals Eastleigh.

FISHER’S newly-appointed manager Allan Fenn has appointed Ajay Ashanike as his assistant manager.

Fenn said: “AJ has a wealth of experience in the game and has accepted my offer to leave Tower Hamlets as first team manager to join me at The Fish as my right-hand man.

“As I do, AJ can see the huge potential with the club and how much it means to the people within the area.

“The big fella is respected by everyone he meets and cannot wait to get started.”

GLEBE chairman Rocky McMillan has appointed new directors in the shape of Perry Skinner and John Wales.

“Both are hugely experienced in non-league and it’s fantastic to attract such quality to the club,” said McMillan.

HASTINGS UNITED have unveiled the signing of former Tonbridge Angels midfielder Craig Stone, 30.

Stone told www.hastingsunited.com: “I’m looking forward to getting started.  It’s a new challenge for me as a player-coach and I’m looking forward to every minute of it and assisting Chris Agutter getting Hastings United promoted.”

HERNE BAY’S newly-appointed manager Ben Smith continues his squad rebuilding by bringing former Canterbury City players, centre-half Laurence Harvey, 28, and winger Kyron Lightfoot, 21, to the Bostik South East Division club.

MARGATE manager Jay Saunders has unveiled the signing of highly-rated Jay Porter.

The left-back has signed from their Bostik Premier Division rivals Enfield Town, having previously played for AFC Hornchurch and he made over 120 appearances for Thamesmead Town.

“At the end of last season, I was at Enfield and Jay contacted me about joining,” explained Porter, when he was interviewed on www.margate-fc.co.uk.

“The first conversation we had was good and after that, I’ve heard really good things about the club, a couple of players I know have signed and I’ve been told great things about the manager and that’s brought me here.”

Porter adds to Saunders’ defensive options and gives supporters an insight into what to expect when he puts on a Blues shirt.  

“I not only love defending but I love going forward. Every week, I’ll give 110% and work as hard as possible and hopefully impress the fans!

 “As a team, we want to do the best we can. I’ve seen some of the players we’ve signed and I’ve played against some of them before. Not only are they good players but they’re good lads as well.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know them all. I think as a team we can be a good unit and moving forwards push as high as we can.”

Saunders has also returned to his former club Maidstone United to sign striker Jack Richards, 20.

Richards rose through the ranks of the Stones’ Kent Youth League teams before working with Saunders at the club’s Academy set-up.

“Having been at Maidstone for so long, I could never see myself leaving there, I thought I was going die in a Maidstone shirt to be honest,” Richards told www.margate-fc.co.uk.

“But with Jay coming to Margate and me wanting a new club, it was a perfect opportunity for me to come down and play and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Describing his playing style, Richards said:  “I’m very attacking minded, I do like to drop off and get the ball – it’s a bit of a bad habit of mine but anything in the final third, I like to get at people, get crosses in and shots off. 

 “Jay will never have a bad squad. With young players like myself we are hungry, we want to win and everyone he has signed so far is a very good player, so it’s looking positive.

“I came down to Hartsdown Park a few times last season, as I’ve got a few pals who play down here.

“It’s a nice, little ground with the 3G (pitch) which is perfect. I’ve not played at Hartsdown yet so I’m looking forward to that. It’s always been a great atmosphere down there any time I’ve watched.

“It’s an exciting, new chapter and I will put my all in no matter what – friendly or cup final – and I look forward to getting going.”

RAMSGATE have unveiled the arrival of former Margate centre-half Liam Friend, 31.

Friend made 560 appearances for Folkestone Invicta – where he sealed two promotions during his time at Cheriton Road - before making 97 appearances for Margate and captained both coastal clubs.

“I’m delighted to sign for Ramsgate, and I’m looking forward to getting started with pre-season in a couple of weeks,” Friend told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk.

“As a group, I think it’s important not to put too much pressure on ourselves to finish in a certain position.

“But, a club like Ramsgate needs to be aiming for promotion, and the buzz around the club can help us achieve that.”

Ramsgate manager Nick Davis added:  "Not only have we signed a very good player, but we have recruited a man who will give us so much more both on and off the pitch and in the changing room.

“He’s a proven leader with hundreds of appearances under his belt.

“At the age of 31, he is still undoubtedly at his peak and to have only represented two club's tells me all I need to know,”

“Stats don’t lie. He’s a top, top player. He’s been promoted twice from this league and with our ambitions this season being to achieve promotion, he’s exactly the type of player we need.”

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Micky Collins has unveiled the signing of former Canterbury City centre-half Ben Gorham.

SHEPPEY UNITED manager Ernie Batten has signed Harrison Carnegie, Ben Davisson, Steven Ita, Conrad Lee and Josh Pelling.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ newly-appointed manager Richard Styles has returned to his former club Lordswood to sign Frankie Griffin (right-back), Ryan Cheek (centre-half), Freeman Rogers (centre-half), Freeman Rogers (centre-half), Euan Sahadow (winger) and Fjord Rogers (striker).

Styles has also snapped up former Canterbury City winger James Nurden, 19.

Jake Beecroft, Josh Biddlecombe Alexx Kendall, Greg Skinner Jason Thompson have all been retained from last season’s squad.

WHITEHAWK have retained the services of versatile midfielder Henry Muggeridge following the club’s double-relegation down to the Bostik South East Division.

“I’m happy to sign for Whitehawk,” the 25-year-old said on his Twitter account.

“I fell in love with the fans and that’s been a massive reason for staying at the club. I can’t wait for pre-season.”

WELLING TOWN have unveiled the signing of former Erith & Belvedere centre-half Reece Barrett.

Meanwhile, www.kentishfootball.co.uk continue the search for new sponsors to cover running costs for next season. If this is something that you would be interested in, please email Stephen@kentishfootball.co.uk.